How bad does this look?

[Proven]

This is on topic/off topic...

Is there something significant to the way he "tried to forge a river" as opposed to a standard water crossing that required a repack of his bearings? I've not crossed water yet in my cruiser, but want to be sure I do what's needed if I do. In the past, I owned several Toyota's and crossed through lots of water...never had to do a repack then. Or was I just foolish?

I need to add that to the list of freaky things to check and recheck. Right next to studs and caliper bolt torque.

 

[Romer]

The modification you do for water crossing is to extend your diff bbreathers up higher, otherwise, the diff can fill with water.

I seem to recall his being stuck in the muddy water for a period of time.

In this situation, you should drain the diff and remove the access cap on the knuckle and check the consistancy of the grease.

 

[Tapage]

The river crossing by itselft it's a killer for bearing, add mud and you will found a pretty grease cleaner .. means if you are running old or non existence grease on your u -joints, bearings, DS, rods etc .. the end with virtually no lubrication after all ..

Down here our principal off road it's between rain, mud and rivers .. so we are educated to keep and use always the better water resistance grease as we can .. frecuently cheking all this bearings and all parts to keep 'em in good shape .. ( properly lubricated ).

 

[mooker82]

I just noticed you are in Greenville, NC (used to kayak up there). There is a guy parting out a 80 down here in Charleston. It is in the parting out section on here.

 

[nicholas]

This is on topic/off topic...

Is there something significant to the way he "tried to forge a river" as opposed to a standard water crossing that required a repack of his bearings? I've not crossed water yet in my cruiser, but want to be sure I do what's needed if I do. In the past, I owned several Toyota's and crossed through lots of water...never had to do a repack then. Or was I just foolish?

I need to add that to the list of freaky things to check and recheck. Right next to studs and caliper bolt torque.

I have buddy's that cross water that's deeper than the front axle and they never worry about repacking/checking bearing. But these are the same guys that advised me when I bought my 80 to "not worry about my birf's because they looked dry so I should not touch them." They act like the toyota knuckle is a mysterious enigma that is difficult to tame as in if you look at it wrong it will start pouring diff oil out like nobody's business. I even had a seasoned, experienced, toyota mini owning mechanic that once told me that there is really nothing you can do to stop diff oil from oosing out of the knuckle.

Bottom line is that like mentioned in previous posts, these knuckles are not water tight and crossing deep water definitely warrants investigation/maintenance of the axles in order to prevent costly damage. With a little time and knowledge found here on mud, I am certain that just about anyone can tackle a front axle service.

 

[Beowulf]

Is there something significant to the way he "tried to forge a river" as opposed to a standard water crossing that required a repack of his bearings?

Yes. He got stuck and had to leave the truck overnight and maybe a few nights. I cannot recall the details but everyone advised him to repack the wheel bearings and to check the knuckles at a minimum.

-B-

 

[Proven]

Wow, okay. I see the difference between my crossings (in previous trucks) and his then. The still thinks this is her cruiser so I haven't been able to do much with it yet...just got her a new 4 Runner though...soon...SOON!!! it will be mine all mine again.

So, extending the diff breathers and checking the condition of the grease during regular intervals should be sufficient?

 

[Beowulf]

So, extending the diff breathers and checking the condition of the grease during regular intervals should be sufficient?

Yes. 30k wheel bearing repacks and 60k knuckle repacks and you will be in excellent condition. Some take the knuckle service intervals longer and you could probably stretch those to 90k but doing them at 60k is best and will usually mean you don't have to buy a $200 set of wheel bearings. Do the rear every 60k too.

Most 80-Series owners have relegated the trucks to occassional service due to the increasing cost of petrol in the US so a 60k service interval is pushing 5 to 10 years for many.

-B-